From Constantinople to Istanbul: Art, Faith, Politics

From its ancient beginnings as the town of Byzantion, the city now known as Istanbul has captured the collective imagination of many over the centuries. This module examines the art and the built environment of the city, from its expansion in the Roman period, to its re-foundation as the Byzantine capital Constantinople, to its Ottoman transformation into modern Istanbul. As different groups—Byzantines, Crusaders, Ottomans—took control of the city, they shaped its architecture to proclaim the power and grandeur of their cultures and religions, commissioning magnificent monuments such as the church of Hagia Sophia, the Süleymaniye Mosque, and Topkapi Palace, as well as icon paintings, reliquaries, and manuscripts. The module will allow students to engage with archaeological and literary evidence, bringing to life lost buildings such as the Great Palace and the Church of the Holy Apostles. When possible, class field trips to local collections (the Chester Beatty, the National Gallery, UCD Special Collections) will allow students to see objects associated with the city in person.